There is no better time to celebrate Pa Ingalls and National Fishing Week than in June! We hope you all enjoyed Father’s Day and that some of you got the chance to catch a fish with your Pa. As we think about all the great Pas out there, we’re reminded of the timeless lessons they have taught us that shape who we are and strive to be. Pa Ingalls, in particular, taught us about kindness, courage, and resourcefulness. What was your favorite life lesson he shared?

Laura knew that there was nothing quite like a cold refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day, especially when she was working hard trampling the hay! She describes the delight of drinking Ma’s ginger-water after a long day of chores, so we decided to try it for ourselves. This drink has a sweet-tart taste like many infused sports water drinks but uses all-natural ingredients you can find in your own home!

Do you have a little one in your life who is celebrating a summer birthday? If so, why not embrace some amazing old-fashioned fun with a Little House on the Prairie themed birthday party! Find great ideas, from homemade invitations, party favors, and delicious treats, to fun activities and games. These Little House aprons, serving trays, and glassware are also a perfect complement for such a gathering! Be sure to share photos of your Little House on the Prairie party using #LittleHouseMoment on social media or by replying to this email!

Looking for some fun ways to bring the whole family together or keep the kids engaged in learning over the summer? Plan a movie night and enjoy Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Laura’s adventures come to life in this one-hour documentary featuring interviews with historians, passages from the Little House books, archival photography, paintings from famous frontier artists, and dramatic reenactments.

Are you seeking some fun summer events and activities? Check out our Little House on the Prairie community calendar! We’re highlighting four of our favorites for June and July below.

Rocky Ridge Adventure Pioneer Camp: Your child will not want to miss this special week of historical fun and memories, taking place in Mansfield, Missouri June 24-28 and July 8-12. This camp is for children ages 9-12 and will include a week of exciting adventures around Rocky Ridge Farm that will bring a hands-on perspective to the pioneer lifestyle. For more information click here.

Summer College for Youth: Learn about pioneer crafts and enjoy activities found in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books. Students will make a nine patch quilt, a button necklace, and a yarn doll. They will also learn to make butter and yeast bread while learning about Wilder, her family, and her home. This course takes place June 24-27 at two different locations: Mattoon, Illinois and Effingham, Illinois.

LauraPalooza: The preeminent conference dedicated to Laura Ingalls Wilder is right around the corner! Join scholars and fans in Onalaska, Wisconsin next month, July 7-10, for LauraPalooza 2019: All Roads Lead to Laura. Enjoy this exclusive interview with the founders of LauraPalooza for insight into why they started the conference and who has participated. To register and see the full agenda for 2019 click here.

Little House on the Prairie TV Cast Reunion: Don’t miss the upcoming cast reunion in celebration of the 45th Anniversary of the “Little House on the Prairie” TV show. This event will take place July 12-14 at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Click here for more details.

This month, we’re spotlighting Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser. Published in 2017, this comprehensive historical biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder draws on unpublished manuscripts, letters, diaries, and land and financial records to offer fresh insight about Wilder’s life and times. Caroline Fraser masterfully fills in the gaps in Wilder’s biography, setting the record straight regarding charges of ghostwriting that have swirled around the books and uncovering the grown-up story behind the most influential childhood epic of pioneer life. Fraser was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Biography for this “deeply researched and elegantly written” book.